Reading Eagle editorial

The Issue: Three leading economic development groups plan to move to the fifth floor of the Gateway Building.

Our Opinion: This presents an opportunity for them to work even more closely and offer one-stop shopping for companies looking to move here.

A generation ago, one of the biggest criticisms of the various economic development groups in Berks County was that there seemed to be little or no coordinated effort not only to attract new businesses to the area but also to retain those that already are here.

Indeed it sometimes seemed as though the groups worked harder at seeing which one would receive the greatest credit for a project rather than how many jobs could be brought into Berks County.

As a result, it is especially pleasing to see that the Berks Economic Partnership, Greater Berks Development Fund and the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry have announced plans to move this spring to the fifth floor of the Gateway Building, 201 Penn St.

“This will be an opportunity for each of us to collaborate and work effectively for the retention and the attraction of businesses to Berks County,” said Jon C. Scott, president and chief executive officer of the Berks Economic Partnership. “It is not going to solve all of the problems of this community, but it is another step forward in our efforts to concentrate on economic development.”

Scott said the three groups already have worked together successfully, pointing to the Keystone Innovation Zone and the Penn Corridor as examples.

The Greater Reading Keystone Innovation Zone was created by the state Department of Community and Economic Development in 2006. Since then, it has created 20 jobs, retained 32 and assisted 58 businesses. The zones are intended to create job growth in technology-related industries by encouraging partnerships among businesses, community organizations and colleges and universities.

Penn Corridor is the proposed commercial and entertainment district spanning downtown Reading, West Reading and Wyomissing along their main artery, Penn Street and Penn Avenue.

Edward J. Swoyer Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Greater Berks Development Fund, said the move reinforces the groups’ commitment to the Penn Corridor as well as their commitment to Reading.

Ellen T. Horan, president and chief executive of the Chamber, said: “This move makes a lot of sense. We all work closely together, and this partnership is a big step toward establishing a seamless network for our customers.”

In light of the move, perhaps the Berks County commissioners might want to look into relocating the Berks County Industrial Development Authority to the same location, since there still would be some room left on the fifth floor once the other three groups have moved in.

Even before the national economy tanked, industrial development was such a competitive business that a project long in the works fell through the cracks because another community was able to cut through red tape and present a more streamlined, more appealing package to a company looking to relocate.

By moving into the same building — indeed, by being next to each other on the same floor — Berks Economic Partnership, Greater Berks Development Fund and the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry offer one-stop shopping for anyone interested making an investment in this community.